WSES History

Generations of Impact

Webster Students for Environmental Sustainability was founded in 2010 by Andrea Harper
and Lauren Pattan to educate students on global climate change and provide opportunities
to connect with and learn about the environment. Over the past five years, WSES has
been instrumental in championing sustainability at Webster University and has worked
with student organizations at other universities to combat climate change in the state
of Missouri.

2013-14: Presidents Jon Strauser & Valerie Martin

In Fall of 2014, Jon Strauser transitioned to become the fifth President of WSES. He also served on the Student
Government Association.

In October 2013, WSES member Kris Parsons attended PowerShift 2013 in Pittsburgh, PA along with many other students from environmental groups at other
Missouri universities.

In November 2013, WSES members fasted for up to 7 days to raise awareness for victims of Typhoon Haiyan and the connection between major
natural disasters and global climate change. Students participated in a global movement
using the tag #FastingForTheClimate. WSES also raised over $600 for the Red Cross
of the Philippines. Students that fasted included Jon Strauser, Katie Maxwell, Gaby Deimeke and Kris Parsons.

In Janurary 2014, Valerie Martin transitioned to become the sixth President of WSES.

In January 2014, WSES members attended the Spring MO<3 Retreat at the University of
Missouri-Columbia. At this retreat, Webster students created an organization plan
for the upcoming semester and explored a variety of issues in the climate change and
climate justice movements. At this retreat, the MO<3 group that had been functioning
informally since 2011 decided to elect three Directors and to move forward as the
Missouri Coalition for Climate Justice. WSES attendees at this event included Valerie Martin, Tess Holtmeyer, Charles Whitehead, Jared Campbell, Ethan Stohs, Katie
Maxwell and alumnus Kris Parsons.

In December 2012, WSES members attended a University of Missouri Board of Curators
meeting in support of the Beyond Coal campaign conducted by our friends at Mizzou.
Their campaign took multiple years and was successful in the end of getting the Board
to commit to shutting down the coal plant on the Mizzou campus. WSES attendees at
this meeting included Jon Strauser, Eleka Smith, Kris Parsons and Julia Kalkbrenner.

In February 2013, WSES hosted the Spring MO<3 Retreat at Webster University and hosted
attendees from many other environmental groups at other Missouri universities. WSES
President Lindsey Heffner lead the retreat organization and WSES attendees included Jon Strauser, Eleka Smith,Taijun Waters and Kris Parsons.

At the end of 2013, Eleka Smith was elected as the fourth President of WSES and Jon Strauser was elected Vice-President.

WSES attended the Fall MO <3 Retreat at the University of Missouri - Kansas City in
October 2011. Webster attendees included Kevin Chau, Erin Hindalong, Lorena Macias and Kris Parsons.

In the Fall 2011 Delegate's Agenda, WSES members Erin Hindalong and Kris Parsons presented the need for a University Sustainability Action Plan to be developed by the Sustainability Coalition with student input. The plan was
centered around the goal of reaching 100% renewable energy by 2030.

In September 2011, WSES students attended the annual meeting of Citizens for Modern Transit with faculty and staff members. The University purchased a table in support of the
organization and students attended to learn more about public transit and techniques
used by other cities that might help improve public transportation in St. Louis. WSES
attendees included Lindsey Heffner, Kris Parsons and Claire Luning.

In October 2011, WSES members attended Midwest PowerShift in Cleveland, OH. Thousands of young people converged in Cleveland, Ohio. Midwest
Power Shift was an epic turning point in the fight for climate justice where it matters
most; in a region that has been overshadowed by dirty energy projects, corporate politics
and ‘dying cities’ for too long. WSES attendees included Zach Mason, Julian Williams, Kate Rochester, Erin Hindalong, Justin Raymundo, Jeff
Wilhite, Kevin Chau, Dana Gruber, Lorena Macias, Andrea Harper, Greg Thomas, Mikey
Medwin and Kris Parsons.

In November 2011, three Webster university students and an alumna traveled to Washington, D.C. in hopes
of influencing Obama’s impending decision on extending the Keystone XL oil pipeline.
WSES attendees to the #NOKXL protest included Kevin Chau, Mikey Medwin, Kris Parsons and alumnus Andrea Harper. Two reporters from the Webster Journal also accompanied the students on the trip
and produced an article and video of the protest.

In April 2012, WSES participated in an Earth Day Fair at Webster University.

2010-11: Co-Presidents Andrea Harper & Lauren Pattan

Webster Students for Environmental Sustainability is founded by Andrea Harper and Lauren Pattan, who then serve as Co-Presidents. Professor Jeff Depew served as the Faculty Advisor and continues to do so.

WSES members Andrea Harper, Lauren Pattan, Kris Parsons & Dana Gruber attended the Show-Me Sustainability Conference at Maryville University. There they
met students and organizers they would work with for years to come on advancing the
sustainability agenda in Missouri and the nation.

In February 2011, WSES performed a waste audit, including a dumpster dive. Fifteen people joined in the effort.

In the Spring 2011 Delegate's Agenda, WSES members Kris Parsons, Dana Gruber and Matt Woodson presented the need for a University Sustainability Coordinator. Their request was
met the following year with the transfer of a part-time employee to that position.

In July 2011, WSES members attended the first MO<3 retreat, organized by the students
and activists they met at PowerShift. They camped out and discussed climate change
activism and the future of the group. WSES attendees included Andrea Harper, Sara Sabaa, Erin Hindalong, Tony Laurence, Kevin Chau and Dana Gruber.

At the end of 2011, Lindsey Heffner is elected as the next President of WSES and Kris Parsons is elected Vice-President.

Pre-WSES

SGA representative Lauren Flecke presented to the University Administration via the Delegate's Agenda that the University
needed to establish a Sustainability Coalition to address all sustainability concerns
and to fund projects. The Coalition was later created and student representatives
served on it.